Original subtitles

Previously on "Braxton Family Values"...

So how's Trina doing? What's up with her romance?

Towanda, do you like him?

Do I like him? No.

But you know what I'm afraid of?

No sex whatsoever?

What am I going to do?

You gotta be creative...

Like workin' on my jaw skills?

You be coming to California, you Secret Squirrel?

- Well... - You workin' on somethin', I can tell.

Now, not showin' up to a wedding, I'm sure that was heavy.

I said, "Daddy, why was it my wedding that you didn't go to?"

I said, "You went to Toni's wedding,

you went to Tamar's wedding, you went to Traci's wedding.

Was I not famous enough?"

♪ We are the Braxtons and you'll see ♪

♪ That we are not like an ordinary family ♪

♪ Toni, Traci, Towanda, Trina ♪

♪ Tamar and Miss E will ♪

♪ Teach you a thing or two ♪

♪ On "Braxton Family Values." ♪

Oh, Tay-Tay's here.

Hey, Towanda.

Tonight Trina is having a Braxton night

where she has one or two sisters show up

and the fans could take pictures.

And Tamar is supposed to be on her way to the bar,

and she's just so super-duper late,

so we just decided to start the party without her.

Sorry.

I'm excited about everyone seeing

the premiere of "Unbreak My Heart."

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

I'm excited about goin' to L.A.,

but I'm really excited about everybody seeing the premiere.

"Unbreak My Heart" is Toni's made-for-TV movie

based off the book she wrote about her life.

We're all going to L.A. for the screening,

and I can't wait to see it.

- I'm nervous. - About the movie?

Are you? Why?

I'm nervous, I'm nervous for Toni.

I'm nervous for me.

- Why you nervous for you? - It's not even about me.

I don't know. I just wonder what I'm gonna look like.

Am I gonna look like me?

- No, I'm not gonna look like me? - No, but she acts like you.

Wait, but you got associate producer, though, right?

I did!

- I did. - So what did you have to do in the movie?

I helped with the choreography.

You know, just the little stuff, the intricate things

that people may not pay attention to, but we do.

- She's here. - Finally.

Hey, everybody.

Tamar!

Hi!

The crowd was like, "Tamar, Tamar." Oh, my God.

Yes, they've come to see me.

And I don't blame them 'cause this face is dusted, honey,

and this body is snatched. And I understand them.

I would want to stand next to me and take a picture, too.

Tamar, so you know we're goin' to L.A. for the premiere.

- Okay. - For "Unbreak My Heart."

Oh, yippee. What time is it?

- 7:00. - Hell. I don't know.

We'll have dinner afterwards, though.

Tamar, Towanda: Oh, yeah, for sure.

So, Trina, how's the boyfriend?

I mean, yeah.

I'm just trying to figure out,

is this a phase, do we like him, what happened?

You gonna go on with this?

I'm not sure. Can I take my time?

Tamar is really pushing me to tell Trina

how I'm feeling about Jacent. And I have to be honest--

I've given Trina a little sprinkles here and there,

but sometimes people just can't get that "boom"!

And I can't do that to Trina.

She's a little more sensitive.

So you not in love? Y'all say "I love you" back?

- "I love you, I love you, too ." - Um...

It's like, okay, um, "Where you at?"

"I'm at the store." "Okay, can you pick up some bread?"

"Pick up some bread"? He got a key?

Bread is key stat

that's a real comfortable person.

I was using it as an example.

- Towanda, they really together, girl. - They're together-together.

Like, it's for real.

I just don't want her to be movin' too fast.

Because, you know, there's a couple essential things

that will solidify your relationship--

that is bread, that is butter, that is milk. Okay?

And if he's getting one of those three things,

y'all living together, and you done told on yourself.

♪ Somebody's getting her bread... ♪

Shh!

♪ Oh-hh... ♪ Shh!

♪ Oh-hh... ♪

♪ Somebody's getting her bread ♪

♪ Oh, my Lord... ♪

♪ Oh, my Lord ♪

♪ She done got a black man ♪

♪ Done got a black man ♪

♪ Oh, hallelujah. ♪

A-men, Trina.

The thing about Jacent is

that he just kind of implemented himself

into the family, you know?

Taking out the trash or helping out

with things that needed to be fixed,

or, you know, just making himself

a permanent plug-in, it looked like.

And I wanted to say, "Wait, hold on."

It feels like we're delving, you know, head-first

into this other out-loud relationship.

I'm not sure if it's something I wanna do.

Has Gabe ever gotten you bread?

Tamar, Towanda: No.

Y'all-- yes, he has gotten me bread.

Trina, 'cause he be like sayin', "How much is it?"

Whoo-hoo hoo-hoo!

Hold on, I gotta find out where we going. Hold on

- We going to the hotel. - I know. I gotta find out how to get there.

Oh, I'll show you.

Tamar and I are in Atlanta still,

and we're driving back to the hotel.

Tamar does have a better sense of direction than I do,

but she has so much road rage that I can't get past it.

- No, thank you. - Just take Industrial, Peachtree Industrial.

You can take State Bridge to 400 all the way down.

- That's okay. I'm gonna use... - Which one you want?

I'm going to use this here...

But I used to live over here.

...navigation the Lord has provided us with. Hallelujah.

Jeez.

Why is Towanda spending so much time in L.A., you think?

I'm not really sure.

It ain't like she there, like, sometimes.

She there all the time.

- And I don't never see her. - I don't see her, either.

- She don't stay at your house? - No, she don't stay with me at all.

I'm very curious about why she coming to L.A.

It has to be something-- maybe try to leave her husband,

who she call "Daddy," and her kids.

Why everything gotta be a damn secret?

I'm gonna call Trina.

Hey, Trine?

Why is Towanda always coming out here to L.A.?

Do you know?

- Lies. - You really don't know?

She won't tell nobody why she out there.

Mm-hmm.

I don't know. It just sounds like a little bit of, uh...

A lie.

For what?

So she asked you to come to L.A.,

and you ain't say, "For what?"

You just say, "Okay, I'm coming"?

Right. It's your life.

She know why she goin' to L.A.

Like, somebody gonna be like,

"Oh, why don't you come to Timbuktu with me,"

and you ain't gonna be like, "Why for?"

Like, stop. She know why.

You don't see her, either?

- Okay, bye. Goodbye. - Okay, bye-bye.

I have no idea what Towanda is up to,

but Tamar and I need to get to the bottom of this.

- She know why Towanda coming. - She's preoccupied.

- Trina's a little dingy sometimes. - You try it.

I mean, she knows it's true. She knows it.

She just kinda misses stuff, background music she misses.

So we'll ask her and, like, in a week or so,

she'll probably know something and tell us. I'll ask her.

Hey, Trace!

- Hey, Tri-bee. - Hello, baby.

- Mm-wah. How you been? - Hey, Beano.

Oh, you gave me reading material.

I did, I did.

Big Kevin and little Kevin didn't give me reading material.

I just been on the phone.

Why you in this room? Why in the guest room?

Because I'm trying to separate myself from Surrat.

I just don't want him to touch me or rub me, you know?

- Well, you not supposed to do the booty thing-- - I can't, I can't.

I'm trying to make the recovery as a speedy one.

Yeah. I'm so sorry I couldn't be there, Traci.

I-- you know, Trina, I understand that,

but I'm-- I'm just trying to make myself feel better.

Traci's nearing the end of the recovery time

for her hysterectomy surgery.

And I wanted to come to Maryland to check on her

because I wasn't able to visit her in the hospital.

So I just wanted to show my support now,

even if it was just for a quick visit.

Are you going to L.A.

for Toni's, um-- movie premiere?

- Of course. - I'm going.

I'm, uh-- girl, I'm going, like fierce!

- I know. Well, you already do. - I-I can't wait.

It's amazing that they made a movie about Toni's life.

And I should be cleared to travel in time

for the screening in L.A.

I can't wait to see

what the actress look like who playin' me.

How much longer before the recuperation process kicks in?

I don't know. But I'm having another happy moment right now.

Thank you, Jesus.

Hmm?

Well, if you're still having your own personal happy time,

do you think you should see a specialist about that or...?

I don't want it to go away yet

until I start getting the "ugh" first.

Until I, you know, start... first, and then...

You gotta keep touchin' it, though?

No. I'm-- I'm not touching it.

- I got my hands... - My gosh.

I'm sitting on my hands.

I know my persistent genital arousal disorder

is a very serious issue.

But part of me is enjoying this just a little bit.

And after having my hysterectomy

and I'm not able to have the nookie-nookie from my honey-cookie,

I want to enjoy some time with my husband first.

Okay, I'm gonna sit on it.

Anyway, I had lunch with Mommy and the girls.

- You did? - We were talking about Eric.

But you have room just to put him in his own spot.

Mm-mm. But he needs his own space not in my space.

- Oh, yeah. - He's 21 years old.

People have a right to want their own space

because-- wait, no, because I'm in counseling right now, Traci.

- You're in counseling, Trina? - Yes, I'm in counseling.

Coming up on "Braxton Family Values"...

Girl, you gonna get your life the entire existence?

Wow.

What are you thinking?

I feel tried.

I can't even remember the last time I saw Towanda cry.

- You're in counseling, Trina? - Yes, I'm in counseling.

I wanna have a better relationship with my sisters.

I wanna be a better mother,

and I want to get to know myself again.

And I feel like therapy is gonna be the best way

to get to know me on that next level.

- I'm gonna let you get some rest... - Okay.

...and maybe have a cup of tea.

I feel I could conquer the world for real,

tell you the truth, Trina.

- I'ma see you later. - Okay.

- I love you. - Love you.

- I'll see you soon. - Bye.

- Bye. I love you. - Bye.

Everybody left me in the (bleep) damn house.

Is it "to the left" that I want some macaroni and cheese right now?

Is that what you want, Trina? You hungry?

I think-- I think I'm just hungry.

I think that's what's going on.

I think I'm just a little hungry.

I'm in L.A. for Toni's movie screening.

But Towanda asked me to come in a day earlier,

and I have absolutely no idea what I'm here for.

Okay, so where we going?

Well, we're going to a acting institute, Trina.

All right. So this is what you've been doing in L.A.

- Yeah. - No.

- Yes. - You excited about it?

Trina, do not tell your other sisters, please.

I have been coming back and forth to L.A.

for quite a while.

And I did not want to tell anybody in my family

because they like to take over all of your time, okay?

However, I wanted to share it with somebody.

And Trina's not judgmental, she'll help me,

she can give me some encouraging words.

Not that the rest of my sisters wouldn't do that,

but they're a little opinion--

a little more opinionated than Trina, you know?

And I don't need all that.

This-- this school, Trina,

- is like the crème de la crème... - De la crème.

of acting.

I am meeting with David Strasberg,

who is the son of the legendary Lee Strasberg,

who owns this very prestigious school

that I want to be involved in.

I mean, this man has taught

Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson.

Anthony Hopkins come to the school sometimes.

David's legendary.

And I'm gonna be legendary-- soon as I get accepted.

Because, you know, this has been my passion for a very long time.

- Mm-hmm. - Like forever.

I would prefer to act than sing.

I've always felt that way.

I was just going along with the grain of the family, to be honest.

Remember when Professor Cooper offered me that scholarship?

Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I said yes.

- Do you regret not taking it? - Yep.

About 20 years ago, I got offered

a scholarship at Howard University for acting.

But I didn't go. I went on the road with my family.

You know, it's just about doing what's right for yourself in your life.

Yeah, and I didn't. That's what I'm saying.

Because the way that we were raised.

Born, bread, and buttered into the entertainment industry.

Right. That's why I'm sad that I had to wait all this time

to get like this, though.

Well, it's never too late.

It took me a very long time to say to myself,

"Okay, Towanda, you have to focus on you."

Because for so long

I was focused on everybody else

and helping everyone else

that I neglected me.

- Is it right here? Yes. - Yes.

This is gonna be awesome.

I can't wait for Toni and Tamar to find out

the real reason Towanda's been in L.A.

But they're gonna have to hear it from Towanda.

I am not a secret spiller.

- Are you nervous? - Yes!

'Cause you're usually pretty, "I'm Towanda..."

Yes, this is something I really wanna do.

♪ It's my passion. ♪ Yes.

I have never experienced this feeling before in my life.

I can't talk, I'm so jittery,

my mouth is dry--

all these things was happening to me,

and I just couldn't control it.

And I'm such a control freak.

I can't believe that this is happening!

All this is going on, and I didn't even meet the man yet.

- Trina! - Aw, shoot.

- Hello. Hi, there. - Hi. Towanda.

- David Strasberg. - It's a pleasure to meet you.

- Good to meet you. - That's my sister, Trina.

I'm Trina. I matter, but I don't matter right now.

I got you.

It's such an honor to be here.

- Thank you so much. - My pleasure. It's great to have you here.

So tell me a little bit about-- tell me about you as an actor.

Um, I'm so nervous right now.

I just can't believe I'm sittin' here.

Um...

I've never seen Towanda nervous like that.

I think I actually saw the sweat coming down from her armpits.

It was just like...

You know? One of those superstar moments.

It was like, what? This is not normally Towanda!

I, um, was determined to do

what the family wanted me to do.

And that was doing the singing part of the entertainment business.

That was our whole thing, our family business.

And even then, um, that wasn't my passion.

- That was never my passion. - And you knew that?

- And I knew it. - Yeah.

When I'm onstage, I pretend I'm someone else.

It's just a big deal for me, to put me first.

Because I've never done that before.

But it's time to be selfish

about me and my career and my dreams.

Everyone else has been selfish.

So it's time for Towanda to be selfish.

-I just wanna know what you got. - Okay.

And then we'll figure out what kind of role to put it into.

- Okay. - You know, part of what I'm looking for--

like, I'm looking at the mask.

We're not gonna fall in love with you by looking at your mask.

Let me tell you right now that the mask is, like--

like I'm talking to someone else.

Even though I was sitting there with my clothes on,

that was the most naked I've ever felt in my life

because he called me out.

I have to what? I have to take off this mask?

This-- this mask?

That's gonna be a challenge for me.

- So, this is-- when I talk about commitment... - Right.

...it's-- it's actually a commitment to losing some stuff.

To losing some control, losing some composure.

Losing some sense of like, "I've got this room,

and I know how this is gonna move,

and I'm gonna make a good impression."

What if you had no idea if you could make a good impression?

- Then who would you be? - A more vulnerable person.

- Uh-huh. - A person who is really willing

to be the best that I know that I can be when it comes to this.

I can already see now as you start to

get into your body a little bit.

You're actually a much softer woman.

Like, if I told you to cry, could you cry?

- Oh, yeah. - Yeah, let's see it.

I know you want Towanda to have feelings and show emotion,

but Towanda Braxton, she is not the emotional type.

I can't even remember the last time I saw Towanda cry.

I wanted to just get up and give her a hug

because I felt something real, I felt a real moment there.

How do you feel about that?

- Extremely vulnerable. -

I-- I'm gonna give you some credit right now

that I-- I don't think I've ever said this to anyone.

You're the best fake crier I've ever seen.

- Thank you. - Yeah.

It still isn't you.

I don't really want the tears coming from you,

I want them coming from me.

From here on out, whenever you and I are together...

- Mm-hmm. - ...no faking anything.

So here's what I'm thinking. I'm gonna wanna see more.

Actually acting instead of just a conversation.

Right.

Where we get to see, like, "Well, do you have it?"

I'm gonna give you a scene,

I want you to come back in 48 hours,

- and we'll do a real audition. - Okay.

Break a leg.

- I'll see you Friday. -

All of our hard work paid off.

Tonight I'm hosting a very special screening with Lupus LA

of my upcoming movie, "Unbreak My Heart."

It was based on my book.

And I can't wait for my sisters to come here

and my whole family to see it.

I'm a little cautious. It's such a candid account

of my life and my family's included in it.

So, I-I care about what they think,

but I want them to be comfortable with me

telling my story without telling too much of theirs.

First of all, thanks, everybody, for coming.

This has been a tremendous adventure.

Uh, we had an awesome responsibility 'cause

Toni's led an extraordinary life.

The show's about to start and I'm looking around,

and I don't see any of my sisters.

I'm trying not to become annoyed,

but I'm starting, you know, "Come on, get in here.

I want you to see it. I'm anxious to see what you think."

Coming up on "Braxton Family Values"...

I sound so much like Tamar.

What happened?

We had two Tamars.

How the hell did that happen?

Why you lookin' at me like that?

And there's something I'm not so pleased with.

You looked unprepared.

First of all, thanks, everybody, for coming.

We had a phenomenal cast...

Okay, I'm about to make this speech

for "Unbreak My Heart," the movie,

and my sisters aren't here yet.

But I can't let this moment,

one of the better moments of my life,

be about my family not being there and me being frazzled.

Guys, I can't be filmed coming out of a minivan.

This is a SUV, Trina.

Is it? All the time I thought it was a minivan.

Y'all ready?

We gotta open our own doors? Open our own doors.

Come on, guys.

I'm excited.

Hey, guys.

Hi. You look pretty.

- We're about to start. - Okay, come on.

I wanna thank everyone for coming out.

I know we're starting a little late.

And I'm a bit wordy, so I'm gonna keep it quick.

But as a little kid, I always had a dream

that I would be a performer.

I love performing, but in my wildest dreams,

while I was dreaming, I never dreamt of this moment here.

So I wanna thank you guys

and my sister, Towanda, for helping my dream come true.

Sometimes, you don't think dreams can happen,

I can tell ya, they can.

Those are my kids, those are my inspiration.

Aside from Towanda, no one else has seen the film.

So I'm eager to see what they're gonna think.

So the whole time watching the movie,

I'm gonna be watching over at them as well.

"Like, okay, let's see." Fingers crossed.

I wanna thank you guys for coming out,

and I invite you guys to, uh, let's say,

relive this journey with me. Thank you so much.

It takes strength for someone

to talk about they life.

And sitting down right beside Toni,

I did not know...

that was the first time she saw the movie.

Just to see her taking it all in

and say, "And look what I accomplished."

It's a beautiful thing,

and I'm very proud of her on that.

I was really pleased when I saw it,

when it all came together, it-- I-I was very proud.

And I look back on my life and there are some things

I go, I can't believe I made it through that,

I survived that.

It was a wonderful moment for me.

What was wonderful for me while watching the film

was it vindicated me.

In the past, I've always felt guilty about my success

and about L.A. and Babyface choosing me

and leaving my family behind.

This movie gave me the courage to accept

that it's okay to be the one that they picked.

And love my work, and I'm a mom with my children,

but happiness is also finding something for myself.

So this film has been great for me.

It's been an awakening for me, so... I'm excited.

After the movie, we went to dinner.

And Toni decided to invite all of the "Braxton girls"

who portrayed the Braxton girls.

I just wanted to thank everyone.

I think you guys did a wonderful job of being us.

I promise you I never saw this when I was dreaming,

so thank you, guys, for dreaming for me.

I really, really appreciate it. You did a good job.

And my sisters and Towanda for all her help.

Hey.

- Who's me? -She's Tamar.

Oh! Oh, hi, how you doing? Great to meet you.

Well, that was an introduction.

Bitch, no! This is not you, this is me. 'Kay?

And so, like, I'm a little confused.

I'm trying to, you know, hold my meal and bite my tongue,

like, okay, Tay-Tay.

All right. That was a little cute introduction.

She tried it, but, you know, that's okay.

Well, Toni, I'm so sad I missed the dang premiere tonight.

I can't wait to see it. I'm so excited.

I know. I wanted to get your feedback, girl.

I worked real hard and then you weren't there. You know?

Don't you worry about that note. You gon' get that note.

I have no doubt.

Traci, what do you think of you?

- I liked Traci. -You act nothin' like Traci.

- I did in the movie. -Oh, you did?

Tamar, that is acting. We don't have to be the person.

I mean, I don't know how the hell

she was trying to school me on some acting.

Like, don't get your life twisted.

I am 100% Baltimore fish.

Don't do it.

Before I played you,

I spent many hours watching, first,

the "Braxton Family Values,"

but then I realized there wasn't enough Tamar.

So then I switched to "Tamar & Vince."

Wow.

Lord whirly Jesus be golly,

we had two Tamars!

How the hell did that happen?

Swerve! Okay?

Swerve!

That is crazy. It's a catastrophic feeling.

Mm-mm. Mm. It's only one of her.

We don't need two at all.

I would like to say that my favorite part

in this movie

was seeing my name. Ha ha!

What?!

It was such an awesome feeling

seeing my name on the screen tonight,

but I really want an acting credit.

As a matter of fact, I should be studying right now

for my audition to get into my acting school tomorrow.

That was so exciting.

I think everybody heard me jump up and say, "My name!"

That was amazing.

So, Vince, I have a question.

What was your favorite Tamar part of the movie?

What are you thinking?

Now, stop. You already know me.

Don't play with me like that.

Like, if I'm you,

then you know not to talk to my "Teddy Ruxpins" like that

or you'll get popped in the forehead.

What you talking 'bout?

"Oh, Vince, what did you think?"

You better not answer, Vincent Herbert.

That's for me. He thought you was I.

I think you did a good job of Tamar.

- Really? - Yeah, I think you did a good job.

Girl, if you don't get your life, the entire existence...?

They are battling of the Tamars. Really?

No, Tamar will not sing my songs.

I will be singing her songs.

- Do I do use all that neck? - What?

"Do I do that?"

Yes, Tamar, you do that, too.

I sound so much like Tamar.

I feel tried at this table this evening.

"What? You trying me tonight?"

I might be trying it. I might be.

Why you looking at me like that?

What happened?

Remember me? Hello?

I'm so used to it being my night

and having to share my moment,

so as the older sister, it comes with the territory.

So I'm gonna have to take myself out of this equation

and have another martini.

- Hear, hear. - Clink, clink, clink, clink...

clink, clink, clink, clink.

I will try.

- Hi, how are you? - Hey, Trina.

Thanks for coming in. You can take a seat.

Thank you for having me.

I spend so much time in L.A.

so that it made sense for me to have a counselor

in Los Angeles.

And Dr. Amie Harwick came highly recommended,

so I decided to give her a try.

Thank you for squeezing me in on such short notice.

- I appreciate it. - So, I know there are some things

that you wanted to talk about today. What's goin' on?

I'm just starting to feel a certain kind of way

about not just my sisters,

but my family as a whole, I guess I can say...

Mm-hmm.

making me feel insignificant.

And they always inundate me with the word "can't."

I think I need to have my own firearm.

I don't know about you, Trina, having no gun.

I'm a grown woman, Towanda.

- I am not five. - She pushing her chest out.

I am fully capable of doing things--

- I can cook. - Well, gold star for Trina.

Trina, you are not the best driver.

I can't cook, I can't drive.

What can I do, Toni Braxton?

Like, they almost want me to feel like

I need their validation.

When's the last time you've heard something positive?

Mmm...

Mm-mm. Mm-mm.

Coming up on "Braxton Family Values"...

There is a respect issue for yourself and your talent.

I blew it. I'm not gonna get into this school.

There's no excuse for that.

- What's wrong wit'chu? - Turns out, a whole bunch of stuff.

Well...

- Come on, let me introduce you to your scene partner. - Thank you.

So the script that David gave me

was actually with an acting partner,

and I'm meeting him for the very first time

to rehearse before our performance.

Now, here in the Method, we talk a lot about sensory.

- Mm. - And sensory means in our bodies

that we have memories of things

- because our body records everything. - Mm-hmm.

I want to know about this Method,

and I want to know how to keep my light on all the time.

I wanna go to this school.

You know?

- Just something so that we have to play with. - Mm-kay.

- Does that make sense? - Mm-hmm.

You know, you gotta talk about it first.

Can we have foreplay?

When's the last time you've heard something positive?

Mm-mm. Mm-mm.

- Yeah. - Mm-mm.

I was always very, very passive-aggressive

- when it came to my sisters. - Mm-hmm.

And I don't want that to happen anymore.

I want it to be, you know, "Sometimes when I talk to you,

you make me feel bad about myself."

And I want them to know that I am fully capable

of any relationship that I decide to have

with a significant other.

So you want them to respect your choices?

Yes. And have boundaries with those choices.

My sisters and I, as you know,

we went through this "sister therapy."

And they were trying to explain to me that

what they're saying to me is coming from a loving place.

But I am 41 years old. I'm as grown as they come.

- Mm-hmm. - You know?

So I would like to find out what I can do

as a solution, you know,

so that I can relate how I feel

but not, number one, feel bad about how I feel

and not lose myself in the interim.

So I'd like you to be able to meet with your family

and try to acknowledge what they've done right for you.

- Which was a lot. - And then I want you to say,

"However, this is where I'm at right now.

Sometimes the criticisms are upsetting to me,

and this is what I'd like things to be like."

Just like me, no one wants to hear,

you know, a person makes them feel bad.

No one wants to hear when it seems like someone's

giving them a negative connotation about themselves.

So we're just gonna have to feel it out

and see how it goes.

How are you feeling right now?

- Sad. - Mm-hmm.

What's the thought?

Because I still don't want to hurt their feelings.

'cause you know your feelings have been hurt, too.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And it's okay to think about that,

and it's okay to feel that.

So...

It sounds like you really love your sisters,

and you want them to feel good.

And you want to feel good.

- Yeah. - Yeah.

One of the things that makes me nervous

about speaking with my sisters

about the things that really bother me in our relationship

is that someone will get angry.

And I don't want it to, uh, damper

all the progress that we've already made

in our sistership and our sisterhood.

You're doing the right thing

and you're acknowledging your feelings.

And you're being up front with yourself.

And you're not saying that you don't want them around,

you're saying you want them in your life.

And here's how to make that relationship better.

You're coming from a place of love.

What it does for yourself and for your family.

And I think that's good.

Yeah.

I am feeling very empowered right now.

And I'm gonna talk to my sisters

about all the issues that I'm feeling

while they're still in L.A.

I feel like it's a bit of a risk

in talking to my sisters about the things that I'm feeling.

However, it's a risk that I'm going to take

because I want our sisterhood to get better and not get worse.

Yeah, I think that's why I need some time for me.

So I can kinda relax and release a little bit.

Mm-hmm.

- Hello. - Hi.

Hello, Gerald. Hello, Towanda.

- Hello. - David.

- You guys ready? - Yes.

David Strasberg said,

"Here's the script and you need to audition

in order for you to be accepted in the school."

He gave me two days. Two days. And I said okay.

At that moment, I said I am going to give my all.

Gotta impress him

'cause I gotta get into this school.

I have come this far, I cannot stop right now.

I have to make sure that I get it done.

- So you know this is audition format, right? - Yes.

And I'm not looking at you here as a student.

- I'm looking at you here as an actor. - Right.

- So I'm gonna judge you as an actor. - Got it.

So based on this, we'll figure out, like, what our future is.

- Like, what we're gonna do. - Absolutely.

- Right on. Great. - Yes.

I am so nervous because this is, like,

a "make it or break it" type of situation.

Either I'm gonna knock his socks off or I'm not.

There's no in between.

Just start whenever you're ready.

Okay.

I'm just trying to find a way to

snap us out of this funk.

It just-- it shouldn't be work.

Everything is an argument

or everything needs to be discussed.

- That's not true. - It is true. It's true.

This isn't working. It's not.

And I'm not sure what it is that you're looking for,

but it's not me.

I need a change.

Mina!

All right.

See? See how you feel now, you're like, ah.

- Yeah. - Channeling energy like that is exhausting.

But this is what we do. The work is personal.

- Mm. - All right?

They gotta draw from you.

And using André, all right? Using your sisters.

This is how we create truth.

Now, I was pleased with that step.

Now, there's something I'm not so pleased with.

You looked unprepared. All right?

Like, you knew your lines. That's a good start, right?

You knew your lines.

They hadn't really thought through this woman.

There is a respect issue for yourself and your talent.

- What time did you get here today? - Uh, 2:10?

Gerald, what time was she supposed to be here?

- 1:45. - 1:45.

All right? It's a respect issue.

It's respect for Gerald, it's respect for me.

But it actually starts with respect for you

and your own talent.

So there's no excuse for that.

It'll never happen again.

- Great. - Because this is important.

- Yeah, that's right. - Yeah.

Oh, God, I blew it.

I'm not gonna get into this school.

He's not gonna accept me.

He's gonna tell me I'm not ready yet.

Coming up on "Braxton Family Values"...

I'm working on my communication skills.

What else you wanna communicate?

Oh...

It'll never happen again.

Great. So what do you think?

About coming? I would love to come here.

I would love for you to receive me,

to be a part of your institution.

- I would love to be here. - Uh-huh.

- And I'm willing to take you on. - Oh!

Oh, I'm so excited!

Thank you so much!

Oh, I'm so happy.

David is saying, "You're in the school,"

and those are the best words ever.

This is one step toward fulfilling my dream

of becoming an actress.

And putting myself first-- ahead of my family.

- Here's an assignment for you. - Okay.

- Between now and our next meeting. - Okay.

- I wanna work on the mask. - Okay.

The hair, the clothing--

I mean the mask. Right? The amount of energy

you put in to try to look like something

instead of being something.

That's what I'm interested in.

- Okay. - All right?

So loose blue jeans,

baggy sweatshirts,

hair in a bun-- simple.

You walk into a room with your sisters,

and they're done up,

do you feel anything in your body

not having that armor on?

I'm not sure how my sisters are going to react

when they see me dressed down like that

with baggy situations.

I-I don't know about this assignment.

But now that the audition is off of my shoulders,

I can finally tell Trina how I really feel about Jacent.

Good thing I'm going to lunch with her and Tamar later.

Congratulations.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome. Good luck.

- Um. - Hi, guys.

Hi.

Hey, Tamy. Hey, LaTrine.

I've decided to talk to my sisters about my therapy

and I just don't know what to expect.

I'll just drink it out of the bottle with a straw.

Oh, okay.

Thank you.

So what y'all got goin' on?

Oh...

I'm in counseling.

What's wrong wit'chu?

Uh, you know, it turns out a whole bunch of stuff.

Like, I haven't been meeting my full potential

because I never gave myself a chance

- to get to know myself. - Okay.

- Because I've always been in a relationship. - Right.

Or I've always had someone else to take care of.

That's enlightening, that's important.

I think that anybody would need counseling

after Gabe, you know, like, he's a basket case.

And, you know, when you with a basket case for a while,

you know, you become a basket case.

It's just, like, you know,

when you with a thick person, you become thick.

When you're with a skinny person, you become skinny.

You're like-- that's what happens.

I'm thick. Hint... my man.

No shade.

You don't need no counseling.

All you had to do was call me.

- No-- - I'm available.

There's nothing wrong with therapy.

I think we should all go

to work on our communication skills.

Tamar feels like she doesn't need therapy.

However, I think we could all

individually go to therapy

because we have unresolved issues--

whether it's with each other as sisters,

whether it's with our dad.

Therapy is a fantastic thing.

It makes me feel really bad

when you guys keep telling me what I can't do.

Now is probably not the right time to tell Trina

how I feel about Jacent.

Like what?

"Trina can't dance," "Trina can't cook."

"Trina can't drive."

I don't-- I don't like it.

- Can you drive? - Yes, I can drive.

I drive much better than I did when I was younger.

Okay.

- And, yes, I can cook. - All right.

I'm glad she's in counseling,

but, you know, like, don't make that counseling about me.

I ain't did nothing to you. I'm here for you.

No shade again. This is just my opinion.

But I don't-- I'm sorry that I make you feel bad.

- I don't wanna make you feel bad. - Right.

- It's just friendly sister banter. - That's all it is.

-The Braxton way. - It is not.

It is!

I just say let's accentuate the positive, that's all.

Now, we gonna have to revisit this cooking and driving.

It's time for you to redeem yourself.

You should come over and cook us a spread,

- and we won't say that ever again. - Ever.

I don't necessarily need a huge apology.

I need for you guys to show me

that you really have empathy towards what I'm saying.

And I'm not getting that right now.

It's just you still want me to prove,

and I'm tired of proving.

Working on my communication skills.

What else you wanna communicate?

That I like being single.

Yes, Tamar?

I wasn't ready, and I should never have entered

into such a relationship without taking some time

to get to know Trina.

- Oh, ooh! - Amen!

- Okay. - Oh.

Yes, God.

Thank God!

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm-- I'm sorry.

"Oh, Trina, you broke up with Jacent?

Damn."

You still like the black boy?

Right now I like a black girl named Trina.

Okay, that's wonderful.

Telling my sisters that Jacent and I broke up

really made the situation real for me.

It was kinda like,

"Oh, okay, we broke up."

So back to the drawing board.

You just dating. Good. You need to kick it.

- No, I'm not dating yet. -What? Okay.

At least kick it with a bunch of people.

- You should do that. - Uh, yeah.

That's how you kinda get to know yourself, too.

I'm-- I'm still working on this first.

'Cause I-I won't be any good for anybody else--

I didn't say get into a relationship.

I'm not trying-- no, I'm not trying to get into a relationship.

At the end of this conversation,

I am really feeling frustrated

and nothing got accomplished

except for me telling them how I feel.

And it's like, "Oh. Oh, okay, I hear you."

But you're not hearing me.